Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A.

Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

Principle of virtual displacements

If an equilibrium system of forces is subjected to a virtual displacement, the total
work done will vanishes, i.e. the work done by the external forces (WE) equals
the work done by the internal forces (WI).

𝑬𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 (𝑾𝑬 ) = 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌(𝑾𝑰 )

∑ 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 × 𝛿 = ∑ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 × 𝜃

where:

force: external applied force.

moment: internal generated moment.
𝛿: virtual displacement in the direction of the external force.
θ: virtual rotation.

Characteristic of the virtual displacement

1- Small value; it approaches zero.

2- Geometrically possible.

3- Piecewise continuous within the structure.

Example
Using the principle of virtual displacement, find the collapse load of the simply
supported beam (ACB) in term of 𝑀𝑃 .

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

P
A
B
𝐿 C 𝐿
2 2

P
Real Hinge Real Hinge
B
A

Plastic Hinge

P
A
B
𝜃 𝛼
∆
𝜃 𝛼
0.5 L 0.5 L

∑ 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 × 𝛿 = ∑ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 × 𝜃

𝑃 ∗ ∆= 𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝜃 + 𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝛼

But

∆
tan 𝜃 = 𝜃 = 𝑜𝑟 ∆= 0.5 𝐿 𝜃
0.5 𝐿

∆
tan 𝛼 = 𝛼 = ⇒ 𝛼=𝜃
0.5 𝐿

𝑃 ∗ ∆= 2𝑀𝑃 𝜃

∆
𝑃 ∗ ∆= 2 ∗ 𝑀𝑃 ∗
0.5 𝐿

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

4𝑀𝑃
𝑃=
𝐿

Example
Using the principle of virtual displacement, find the collapse load of the simply
supported beam (AB) in term of 𝑀𝑃 .

A B

Real Hinge Real Hinge

A 𝜃 𝛼 B
∆
𝜃 𝛼
Plastic Hinge

0.5 L 0.5 L

∑ 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 × 𝛿 = ∑ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 × 𝜃

𝐿
𝑤∗∆∗ = 𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝜃 + 𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝛼
2

But

∆
tan 𝜃 = 𝜃 = 𝑜𝑟 ∆= 0.5 𝐿 𝜃
0.5 𝐿

∆
tan 𝛼 = 𝛼 = ⇒ 𝛼=𝜃
0.5 𝐿

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

𝐿 ∆
𝑤∗∆∗ = 2 ∗ 𝑀𝑃 ∗
2 0.5 𝐿

8 𝑀𝑃
𝑤=
𝐿2

Example:

Using the principle of virtual displacement, find the collapse load of the simply
supported beam (AB) in term of 𝑀𝑃 .

B
A
L

P. H. Real Hinge
A 𝜃 𝛼 B
∆
𝜃 𝛼
P. H.

x L-x

The plastic hinge will be assumed to generate in the fixed end (one of the known
peak interior moment) and at a distance (𝑥) from the fixed-end, where (𝑥) is an
assumed distance at which the second plastic hinge is generated.

∑ 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 × 𝛿 = ∑ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 × 𝜃

𝐿
𝑤∗∆∗ = 𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝜃 + 𝑀𝑃 ∗ (𝜃 + 𝛼)
2

But

∆
tan 𝜃 = 𝜃 = 𝑜𝑟 ∆= 𝑥 𝜃
𝑥

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

∆
tan 𝛼 = 𝛼 =
(𝐿 − 𝑥)

𝐿 ∆ ∆ ∆
𝑤∗∆∗ = 𝑀𝑃 ∗ + 𝑀𝑃 ( + )
2 𝑥 𝑥 (𝐿 − 𝑥)

𝑤𝐿∆ 2𝐿 − 𝑥
= 𝑀𝑃 ∆ ( )
2 𝑥(𝐿 − 𝑥)

2 𝑀𝑃 2𝐿 − 𝑥
𝑤= ( ) (1)
𝐿 𝑥(𝐿 − 𝑥)

𝑑𝑤 2 𝑀𝑃 𝑥(𝐿 − 𝑥)(−1) − (2𝐿 − 𝑥)(𝐿 − 2𝑥)

= ( )
𝑑𝑥 𝐿 𝑥 2 (𝐿 − 𝑥)2

𝑑𝑤
=0
𝑑𝑥

𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝐿 + 2𝐿2 = 0

𝑥 = (2 ∓ √2)𝐿

Neglecting
𝑥 = (2 + √2)𝐿

Using

𝑥 = (2 − √2)𝐿 𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑖𝑛 𝐸𝑞. (1)

11.66 𝑀𝑃
𝑤=
𝐿2

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

Example:

Using equilibrium method, find the collapse load of the simply supported beam
(AB) in term of 𝑀𝑃 .

P
wL=3P

A C B
0.25L 0.75L

Solution:

The clamed ends beam (AB) is classified as indeterminate structure to the 2nd
degree. The fixed end moment at supports (A and B) will be consider as the
redundant variables. Combining the generated moment diagrams indicated that
the maximum moments are presented by the negative moment at the fixed ends
(A & B) while the peck positive moment will be generated somewhere within the
beam at a distance (x) from the support (A). For these to be equal to the full plastic
moment:

P wL=3P
𝑀 𝑀
A B + A B +
A B
0.25L 0.75L L L

𝑃𝐿 𝑃𝐿 𝑃
16 (1- )
𝑃 8 2
(1- )
+ ++
A B A B A B
x L-x -
x L-x 𝑀
𝑀
𝑀
x L-x

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

𝑃
2
(1- )
𝑃
(1- )
+
A B
−
𝑀
𝑀 𝑀

x L-x

Bending moment at section x is

𝑃𝐿 𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑥
𝑀= (1 − ) + (1 − ) − 𝑀
4 𝐿 2 𝐿

At the collapse, plastic hinges generated in at A, B and x, therefore,

𝑀 = 𝑀 = 𝑀 = 𝑀𝑃

𝑃𝐿 𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑥
∴ 𝑀𝑃 = (1 − ) + (1 − ) − 𝑀𝑃
4 𝐿 2 𝐿

𝑃 𝑥
2 𝑀𝑃 = (1 − ) (6𝑥 + 𝐿)
4 𝐿

𝑃 6𝑥 2
𝑀𝑃 = (5𝑥 + 𝐿 − ) (1)
8 𝐿

𝑑 𝑀𝑃 𝑃 12 𝑥
= (5 − )
𝑑𝑥 8 𝐿

𝑑 𝑀𝑃
=0
𝑑𝑥

5
𝑥= 𝐿
12

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L5
MSc. Course Misan University

Sub. this value of (x) into Eq. (1)

49
𝑀𝑃 = 𝑃𝐿
192

𝑀𝑃
𝑃 = .92
𝐿